The real dirt on extracts

Why Modder Supps chooses whole plant power

There's a big choice when making supplements: use the whole plant or just extract one part. At Modder Supps, we go all in with whole plants, using our supplier's amazing freeze-drying technology. Why? Because it's better for your body, and science backs us up on this one.

Nature's symphony vs. solo performers

Imagine attending a concert expecting the full band, only to find just the lead singer on stage. This scenario mirrors the difference between whole plants and isolated extracts.

For a long time, scientists played a game of 'find the magic ingredient' with medicinal plants. They'd isolate one compound, turn it into a pill, and call it a day. But here's the thing: plants aren't one-hit wonders. They're more like a band where every member matters. When you take just one part out, you miss the magic that happens when all those natural compounds come together.

The Entourage Effect: Science Validates Traditional Wisdom

This synergy is known as the "entourage effect." First proposed by researchers Raphael Mechoulam and Shimon Ben-Shabat in 1998, they observed that certain inactive compounds could enhance the activity of primary cannabinoids like 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG). Their findings showed that certain plant compounds, that didn't do much on their own, could actually boost the effects of the main active compound when taken together. 

Later studies confirmed this with cannabidiol (CBD). When scientists gave people pure CBD, it only worked at a narrow dose range: too little or too much, and it lost its effect. But when they used a full-spectrum extract (with all the plant’s natural compounds), it worked consistently across a wider range of doses. The supporting compounds were helping the CBD do its job better and more reliably.

But here’s the cool part: this “team effect” isn’t unique to cannabis. Researchers have seen it in many other medicinal plants too:

• Turmeric works better as a whole root than just isolated curcumin, partly because of compounds called turmerones that improve absorption and bioavailability.

• Traditional anti-malaria treatments using whole plants like Artemisia annua have shown more consistent results than isolated artemisinin alone.

• Echinacea's immune-supporting effects come from several different families of compounds all working in synergy: polysaccharides, alkamides, and caffeic acid derivatives.

• Some plants contain compounds that help overcome drug resistance, making them more effective than isolated actives in antimicrobial or cancer treatments.

• Ginger’s anti-inflammatory benefits come from dozens of active components working together, not just gingerols, but also shogaols, paradols, and others.

Why Extracts May Fall Short

While extracts have their place, especially for acute conditions requiring standardized dosages, they have limitations in holistic wellness:

1. Loss of synergy: Isolating compounds may neglect the synergistic effects present in whole plants.

2. Altered natural ratios: Extraction can disrupt the natural balance of compounds in plants.

3. Potential solvent residues: Many extraction processes use solvents, which may leave residues.

4. Narrowed therapeutic scope: Whole plant preparations often address multiple bodily systems simultaneously, whereas isolated compounds typically target specific pathways .

From farm to supplement: what we do differently

Our commitment extends beyond processing:

1. Organically grown: We source botanicals that are organically grown, wild-crafted, or ethically wild-harvested.

2. Strict raw material specifications: We select plant parts with the highest levels of beneficial compounds.

3. Prompt processing: Our supplier's facility is located near raw material sources, allowing same-day processing to maintain bioactivity.

4. Sustainable partnerships: We engage in contract farming, supporting sustainable agriculture and ensuring fair practices.

Embracing the future of plant medicine

The science keeps getting stronger: whole plants consistently outperform isolated compounds. Studies show that when you use the complete plant rather than extracted components, you often get better therapeutic outcomes with fewer side effects.

At Modder Supps, we respect both traditional wisdom and modern science. Research confirms what herbalists have known for centuries: plants contain complex networks of compounds that work together synergistically. That's why we give you the complete spectrum of beneficial plant compounds rather than just isolated extracts.

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References:

1. Mechoulam, R., & Ben-Shabat, S. (1998). An entourage effect: inactive endogenous fatty acid glycerol esters enhance 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol cannabinoid activity. European Journal of Pharmacology, 353(1), 23-31. (ScienceDirect)

2. Gallily, R., Yekhtin, Z., & Hanuš, L. O. (2015). Overcoming the bell-shaped dose-response of cannabidiol by using cannabis extract enriched in cannabidiol. Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 6(2), 75-85.
   

3. Rasoanaivo, P., Wright, C. W., Willcox, M. L., & Gilbert, B. (2011). Whole plant extracts versus single compounds for the treatment of malaria: synergy and positive interactions. Malaria Journal, 10(Suppl 1), S4.

4. Sánchez-Vidaña, D. I., Rajwani, R., & Wong, M. S. (2017). The effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine-based lifestyle interventions on biomedical, psychosocial, and behavioral outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review with meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(4), 382.

5. Medicinal Plants and Their Bacterial Microbiota: A Review on the Evolving Trends in the Therapeutic Applications of the Plant Microbiome. Frontiers in Microbiology. (PMC)